Is everything national security now?

In Episode 83 of Trade Splaining, Ardi & Rob kick off 2026 by diving head-first into the growing chaos at the intersection of trade policy, geopolitics, and national security exceptions — the legal loophole that ate the global trading system.

We break down why trade is no longer just about efficiency or tariffs, but increasingly about power, leverage, and security theatre — from Greenland and semiconductors to Japan–China tensions and WTO rule-stretching.

Then we’re joined (again) by two of our favourite adults in the room:

Dr. Mona Paulsen (LSE)
Prof. Greg Messenger (University of Bristol)

Together, we unpack:

Why “national security” now seems to cover everything except furniture
Whether today’s chaos is a temporary shock — or a return to how trade always worked
What businesses should actually watch for amid policy incoherence
Whether the US is still a reliable anchor for the global trading system
And why the real question isn’t what Washington does — but what everyone else does next

Plus:

A new 2026 format (more depth, fewer Lake Geneva anecdotes — we promise)
Sleep-bro optimisation culture (yes, really)
AI, soft skills, and why getting your boss coffee is apparently back
Donuts, laundry, and the National Security Exception™ as a life philosophy

🎙️ No opinions. Just vibes. And trade law.

👉 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
📩 Questions? trade.splaining@gmail.com
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